EMS & Fire Certifications

Live Fire Instructor Certification

“Live fire instructor” means an individual who holds a certificate to teach live fire training, under the auspices of a chartered fire training program, issued by the executive director pursuant to section 4765.55 of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 4765-21 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

The Live Fire Instructor certification provides certificate holders with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to safely conduct live fire training evolutions. The certification meets the minimum requirements set forth in the nationally recognized standard, NFPA 1403: “Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions.” Compliance with the standard can dramatically decrease the likelihood of firefighter injuries and deaths.

Course Entrance Requirements

Prior to admission into a Live Fire Instructor Operations course, an individual shall meet all of the following requirements:

• Possess a current Fire Instructor or Assistant Fire Instructor certificate issued under section 4765.55 of the Ohio Revised Code and 4765-21-03 of the Ohio Administrative Code that is in good standing; and
• Shall have an agency sponsor and shall provide a letter signed by their chief and/or training officer, approving their participation in the course; and
• Shall have successfully completed the following National Incident Management (NIMS) courses: IS 700, ICS 100 or online equivalent, and ICS 200.

Qualifications

An applicant for Live Fire Instructor certificate shall meet all of the following requirements:

• Applicants shall complete the “Live Fire Training Operations Course” (24-hour minimum) through a chartered program except that credit may be given for successful completion of a substantially similar live fire training operations course when approved by the executive director; and
• Applicants shall complete the “Live Fire Training Operations Job Performance Requirement Check-Off” under the auspices of a chartered program (2 day minimum) within twelve months of completion of the “Live Fire Training Operations Course”; and
• Applicants shall submit a completed “Live Fire Instructor Initial Application” within ninety days after completion of the “Live Fire Training Operations Job Performance Requirement Check-Off;” and
• Applicants shall possess a current Fire Instructor or Assistant Fire Instructor certificate issued section 4765.55 of the Ohio Revised Code and 4765-21-03 of the Ohio Administrative Code that is in good standing.

To Apply

An initial Live Fire Instructor application may not be submitted until you have completed all course and job performance requirements. Upon successful completion of the certification requirements through an Ohio chartered fire training program, you will be provided the application for certification.

Exemption Options (“Grandfathering”)

Certification requirements vary depending on when an individual was certified as a Fire Instructor or Assistant Fire Instructor.

If you were certified as a Fire Instructor or Assistant Fire Instructor prior to January 1, 2018, click HERE for Live Fire Instructor exemption ("grandfathering") options.

Additional Information

Click HERE for additional information on the Live Fire Instructor Certification course entrance requirements and certificate qualifications.

Click HERE for Live Fire Instructor Course information.

NOTE: Although the requirement to be certified as a Live Fire Instructor applies to individuals who provide instruction in live fire training evolutions required for certification as a firefighter and “grandfathering” options are available, all fire instructors and assistant fire instructors participating in live fire training evolutions are encouraged to attend the Live Fire Training Operations Course and to become certified as a Live Fire Instructor.

Ohio Administrative Code: 4765-21-03